Local LLMs chase more human chat

The base model matters, but the human feel usually comes from a chat fine-tune plus strict style controls, not from adding slang on top.

• –Llama 3.2 is a sensible lightweight baseline for local deployment, while Dolphin-style fine-tunes tend to be looser and more conversational.
• –Short system prompts work better than long persona scripts: define tone, response length, refusal behavior, and when the model should ask follow-up questions.
• –Sampling settings matter a lot for “human” feel: cap output length, avoid overly high temperature, and use repetition controls to prevent paragraph spam.
• –Proactive messaging should be governed by policy, not vibes; otherwise the bot will interrupt too often or sound mechanically scheduled.
• –If the goal is naturalness, prioritize turn-taking, memory, and context retention before trying to add casual slang or exaggerated personality.